Harlem Stage, the legendary uptown venue that for over 35 years has promoted the creative legacy of Harlem and artists of color from around the corner and across the globe, is proud to present its Fall 2018 season of performances. The season is curated by Monique Martin, recently appointed director of programming for Harlem Stage and features artists who #Disrupt and take creative risk.
On Friday Oct. 19, Maimouna Youssef aka MuMu Fresh and her band will perform songs from her rich body of work and latest album “Vintage Babies.” The evening will feature an opening set by DJ Beauty and the Beatz. The event will be held at Harlem Stage, 150 Convent Ave. New York starting at 7:30 pm. There will be another show on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, 7:30 pm
Since receiving a Grammy nomination for her vocal contribution to The Roots hit “Don’t Feel Right”in 2007, the singer, emcee, songwriter, activist, mentor and workshop facilitator has been making waves in the international Indie music scene as a solo and accompanying artist. Her newest 17-track all original album “Vintage Babies” featuring TDE’s SIR, Common, Malik Yusef and Ra Brown, is already making its mark with its single “Shine Your Light” placing at number six on UK Indie music charts.
Maimouna comes to Harlem Stage fresh off of her recent concert on NPR’s Tiny Deskand breakout performance with August Green earlier this year. As a United States Musical Ambassador, Maimouna’s lyrical prowess coupled with her commitment to activism and social justice has taken her around the globe as a musician, thought leader and facilitator.
She has shared the stage with Black Thought, Sting, Nas, Common, Dave Chappelle, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Femi Kuti, Fred Yonnet, and hastraveled across the world as a supporting vocalist for legends such as Congolese Vocal Acapella group Zap Mama, Late night Jimmy Fallon’s band, The Roots, and Common.
“During a time in America and the world in which many of us feel impotent against the oppressive forces of the state, art enables us to respond, to speak truth to power, to resist and to attempt to transform. The time is now and the doors to the Harlem Stage Gatehouse are open” said Patricia Cruz, executive director of Harlem Stage.
Monique Martin, director of programming, said “This season Harlem Stage will continue to be a ‘Sanctuary Space’ for dialogue, bridge building and transcendent theater, music and dance. Artists from down the block, around the way and across the globe will present bespoke programs to ignite our imaginations, pose disrupting questions and ground us in our collective commitment to a world that honors everyone. We look forward to holding space with you and honoring our collective humanity.”
Baltimore native Maimouna Youssef is of Choctaw, African American, and Muslim heritage who was born into a family of exceptional artists deeply rooted in healing, spirituality and activism. She began singing traditional indigenous and African songs at four years old and began her music career at 16 years old. Throughout this evening you will be immersed in sounds of A Capella and musical elements to honor her ancestors. This timely healing concert will leave you transformed and uplifted. it will be a musical journey amplifying the soulful soundscapes that reflect the experiences of Maimouna’s rich heritage.
Harlem Stage is proud to present this concert in recognition of “400 years of Inequality” in observance of the anniversary of 1619, when the first Africans were brought to Jamestown and sold into bondage; ‘Stolen Hands, Working Stolen Lands.’
